Deerfield Condo Dwellers Fearful After Slaying

May 27, 1986|By Marilyn Weeks, Staff Writer

DEERFIELD BEACH -- In the aftermath of the murder of a neighbor, leaders in Century Village East walked door-to-door on Monday to reassure those who live alone, and warn against carelessness and strangers.

``Everyone is terribly concerned. It is a very disturbing thing to the women who live alone,`` said Vice mayor Benjamin Budd, one of the original residents of the close-knit retirement community known for its tight security.

Inside the perceived safety of chain-link and stone fences, some residents in the 253 buildings of the condominium complex often leave their patio doors open, their front doors unlocked.

``It`s common practice,`` said Joe Tractenberg, a Century Village resident and Deerfield Beach city commissioner. ``It`s a tremendous mistake. We have a lot of people working around these buildings. Most are trustworthy. But you never know when you`ll have a bad apple.``

Neighbors told police that Yetta Katzman, who was killed inside her apartment on Saturday, sometimes left her door unlocked.

Police said there were no signs that her killer had forced his way into the apartment of the frail, well-liked woman of 86.

Police speculated that the man who left Katzman bound, gagged, and strangled in her ground-floor apartment may have circumvented the security system by posing as a worker.

Condominium leaders on Monday delivered copies of a police sketch of the suspect to each resident.

The police composite was based on descriptions of someone seen by other residents near Katzman`s building the day of the crime. He was described as in his 20s, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, 160 pounds, sandy blond to brown hair, and wearing a beige shirt and brown pants.

Police said on Monday that they have no new information or suspects. The condominium leadership is trying to gather any clues that could change that.

Following an emergency meeting Monday, building leaders began asking their friends and neighbors about strangers they may have seen on the grounds, or the names or descriptions of anyone who came to their door seeking odd jobs.

And once they find out how the security system was broken, they will begin to look for ways to prevent it from happening again.

``We pay a tremendous amount for security,`` said Henry Arken, a vice president in the condominium organization. ``But I think (good security) has bred complacency. If something happens, people are careful for a few weeks, then they forget.

``We need to teach people some new habits,`` he said. ``We`re telling them to keep their doors shut and find out who is coming.``

Rochelle Miller called the tragedy frightening. Miller and her husband, Hy, have lived in the complex for more than seven years. A rash of robberies last year was the only incident of crime before last weekend.

``That turned out to be the grandson of a resident,`` she recalled. ``But after time, those memories (of the robberies) fade and people begin to leave their doors open again.``

Tractenberg said the murder -- the first in the history of the village -- also will result in a lengthier clearing process at the main gate.

``People get impatient and don`t like to wait, but they`re going to have to,`` he said. ``Every vehicle will have to be checked.``

Predicting that the incident would foster ``an alertness`` throughout the complex, Tractenberg said there was no panic, but a genuine concern. Vice- mayor Budd agreed.

Budd, who moved into the complex 12 years ago, called the mood of the more than 15,000 residents in 8,500 units ``very bad.``

The victim was a widow who belonged to a social club and cared about others in her building. That close-knit relationship led neighbors to check on Katzman Saturday night when she failed to turn on her lights after dark, or respond to their knocks on her door.

They entered the apartment with a key the victim had left with a neighbor. The body was found face-down on the floor, her hands and feet tied, and with bruises around the face that police said indicated she may have been punched.

The position of the body also led police to suspect that she may have been raped, but no further confirmation was available late Monday.